reading and writing about why we work

April 2017

04/30/2017

The Zapata Mural, Chicano Park

The Chicano Park Murals in downtown San Diego is a way that the Latino community speaks out. The murals say many things about work and what they are fighting: for their rights and freedom. The mural I found most interesting was the Zapata mural. Emiliano Zapata was born on August 8, 1879, and died April 10, 1919. Zapata was a tenant farmer in Mexico and he served in the Army. He led protests, standing against those in power trying to control his life, and is a vital role to the history of Mexico. Zapata “fought the injustice of wealthy landowners who gained territory at the expense of the nation's peasant class during the late 19th and early 20th centuries”(1). Most of the other murals are loud in the sense that they have bright and many colors whereas the Zapata mural is gray and black. It depicts a soldier wearing a Sombrero holding a rifle on his right with two bullet holders crossing over his chest. It looks as though the soldier is walking forward, slowly progressing towards a better future. Under the soldier, it says “I rather die on my feet, than live on my knees”. This reminds me of the battle of Thermopylae where there is a plaque in Greece that says “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to the Spartan law, we lie". For the Greek soldiers, they stood their ground to the point of death, fighting for what they believed in. The soldier in the mural is standing tall, progressing without fear of death, willing to die for what he believes in. With this saying under the mural, it makes the message very clear that they will not live by other people's standards. They will stand together for what they believe in, even to the point of death, just like Zapata. In Chicano Park, there is also a statue of Zapata. He is such an inspiration to the locals and to Mexico that he is on their currency on the 10 pesos.

Every family needs a hard working person that will provide for their family. This mural is a symbol of working hard and working for a better life. A couple examples is the father. He is the main the person of the mural by him spreading his arms means that he protects the family and is the head of the house. In the back of the man is the United Farm Workers, which means the social and political movement, it could be that the father was apart of that or even both parents were. Both parents looked liked they worked as farmer. Next would me the mother, she is the second person that stands out in this mural. She looks like a strong, hard-working women the stands up for her family and does not let anyone bring her down. The bottom of the mural is a young child who is holding a book of laws. The child represent the importance of education to chicanas/ chicanos. If you notice the way the child is dress looks nothing like to what his parents are wearing, that is because he does not want to work how his family is working as farmers. The young boy wants to do bigger things with his life. The parents want whats best for their child and that is to have an education that they did not have.

04/27/2017

In order to give our children more successful lives in the future we work. This mural depicts the “man of the household” spreading his arms and working as a hard laborer for his family shown under him. We can see the UFW (United Farm Workers) eagle symbol behind the man as he works to give his family a better life. Under the man is his wife who looks to be caring for their son who looks unhappy carrying a book of “laws”. We can see how poor and unfortunate these people are from the clothes they are wearing to the expressions on their faces. The father spends his days working hard in the fields so that one day they can give their son an education and get out of this poverty. The son standing with his book of “laws” shows his start of a better life by understanding the laws of the land in order to be more successful. When living in a hard situation such as these farm workers you are going to want to try your hardest to make sure your kids don’t have to live the same way you did. In order to change the cycle of work for your children this mural shows that these laborers work ten times harder than the average worker to give their kids an education and hopefully a better life.

04/26/2017

Learning of the murals at Chicano Park and looking through each one of them, I saw the hard work and dedication that the artists put into the process of planning and painting them. All the murals that I saw were beautiful and inspirational because of the deep meaning that each mural had. The mural that captivated me was a mural called La Familia by Jose Montoya. The mural La Familia caught my attention because I was immediately able to understand what the image was trying to say and because I can relate to it. In the mural, there is a father holding his arms out, a mother holding her son, the boy holding a book, and at the bottom of the mural, there’s a tree trunk.This mural demonstrates the dream of the Chicano family and carries a valuable message. First, of, the father is the biggest person in the image. Holding out his arms, the father looks like he is proud and a hard working man because of his muscles. In Front of him is a woman that appears to be the mother. The mother looks like she is a hard working woman because of the working clothes she has on. The child in the mural is holding a book that’s titled leyes in Spanish that translated as laws. The child holding the book represent the new generation children of Chicano families going to school and studying to become lawyers, doctors or big job that would improve not only their lives but the family’s as well. A tree trunk is what hold a tree together, so I believe the trunk in this mural is a representation of what holds the family together. The Chicano dream for most families is to arrive in America and have a better life for their children. The Chicano parents work long rough hours in tough jobs to get their children what they need, and the children of these families are encouraged to study and go to school to have a job that will improve their way of life. Families that move to America have a dream to improve their lives, and if the families have children then the children are the inspiration. Even in my own family, my parent's dream is for us to go to school and have a great career in the future. My parents encourage both me and my brothers to study and have a great career so we won't have to suffer like they did their entire life.

The mural “Female Inteligencia” depicts a ring of women in strength and power.

Giving acknowledgement to the woman and her work. From bottom to top showing two women seated and playing instruments. The sound from instruments the two women are playing create a rainbow over what looks to be a city. Sitting on top of the rainbow is a single female holding in her hand a ying yang symbol along with many stars and a bull like symbol. It's like this is telling a story of life and the role of the woman in it. On the top center is a woman holding a child resting on the world. Across the top are five women with hands raised. The first woman on the left depicts a homemaker a woman with many responsibilities in and around the home keeping a home running in order. Next is a praying woman knelt on one knee. A prayerful woman worships and prays to keep the lives of many others from the home in order. She finds spiritual strength to get through much. Third and in the center is a woman with her arms open surrounded by what seems to be clouds in a sunset setting. Her arms are open to the woman with her child and the earth. This woman in bright colors seems to be opening her arms showing and welcoming life. As if suggesting or saying look at what we women create. Next is a woman strong in stature,one knee knelt with both hands up as she is hold a load. Giving the feeling of strength and courage. Her breasts are out and only wearing pants. Giving the impression she is equally as strong as man. Next is an older woman with one arm up. In many cultures, elders represent wisdom. A life time of knowledge and understanding of many things. Years and time of working and seeing many things.

This whole mural represents the woman and how much she is needed. Working hard at many things from the home to creation. Showing they are a part of working society. This represents strength and knowledge in the woman and how they are not to be just passed by. Woman have come a long way from being dismissed as nothing more than baby makers and house keepers to strong independent individuals with rights who can handle many responsibilities. This isn't just about being a woman but a working woman in many aspects. This mural says we too have power, we too are strong, we are women, we too work hard.

The murals of the San Diego Chicano park, have fascinated me with inspiration and hard work it took to create these murals. One of the murals that captivated my attention was an image were Cesar Chavez is speaking in front of many farm workers, and behind him are images of others who have spoken before him on the unfair rights of the community. This is also known as the mural called "Toltecas Azlatan." Although I am not aware of all of them, it tells me that there have been others and, will continue to be many more to fight for their rights. I truly respect the hard work and determination they take in wanting a better life and education not only for their children and families but, for the entire Latino community. The people who are hearing Chavez speak are holding up signs which say “Si Se Puede!”, which means “Yes We Can!" They are also holding up the Mexican flag, and a red flag with an eagle, which represents farm workers and the entire Latino community. You also see an eagle with a bright heart, which may mean the heart of Mexico. You see women holding guns, and a man riding a horse holding a Mexican flag. This has many things it says about work. One being that striving for a goal isn’t always easy,but the few big steps make a difference.The people who are behind Chavez who made a difference and fought for changes, stood out in front of a crowd where there is fear and struggle, an honor to the Latino community. It’s easy to say that we will change the world tomorrow, or even that we will change the world someday, but it’s the form of action one takes. In fact the farm workers were frustrated to work under heated conditions. Hard work developed within a young age, in order to help support their families. It had been working from the start for these families. They are fighting to be heard, fighting for a change, and they aren’t going down without a fight. Latinos are going into college and making a difference as they start to find an education and out of the farms to make a difference for themselves one Latino at a time. Working to pay for their education and helping with their families marks respect and hard work that is being done for a change. Another thing that stood out to me from this mural was the sky. It has the tone of gold and blue next to Chavez and other Latinos who have spoken before him. This can be a symbol of peace and paradise. To live without so much sacrifice and struggle.

04/19/2017

While reading What The Best College Students Do, we studied Ken Bain's practical approaches to learning for college students and one of these techniques really spoke to me, “They read as if they plan to teach” (238). When we read it usually for pleasure or out of necessity but what if we approached reading as material to contribute to others. I have always liked the idea of book clubs, because you retain the story more. It requires you to understand the material on a deeper level because it requires you to present information for open discussion to a group of friends. Bain believes that if we read material as if we plan to teach it to others; we will not only retain the information but also understand it on a deeper level.

This idea fascinates me because I have never viewed reading from this perspective and I believe I could benefit from this approach. While I continue my studying throughout college I am going to use this technique. Likewise, I am going to utilize this skill in my life. Myself and my brother -- along with a few friends -- are planning on starting a small podcast. By reading material I would like to present in the podcast as if I plan to teach it to others, I will be able to convey my material in a better way.

04/18/2017

Alicia Gonzalez Mr.Sullivan English 100 17 April 2017 3 Dimensions of Life For the three dimensions of life presented in the Martin Luther King speech. I feel a shift towards how I am willing to change the actions I take, not only for my own benefits, but for the benefits that I can give to others. Knowing that there is a higher class other than me, and focusing on what I can provide, how I can help, and what abilities make me stand out. The three dimensions of life are said to be length, breadth, and height. Length is one own’s abilities, and how they are used as a talent and special skill that separates us from the crowd. As far as my abilities, I haven’t felt like I have found that particular skill to set me aside from the rest of the world. I take my knowledge, my views on life, the steps I have taken and apply them to how I choose to live my life. Personally, to me that is the definition of length, reaching the potential of knowing myself enough to reach the best of my abilities at the point. There is always room for improvement, although I don’t agree that at first glance I meet my potential until I have tried figuring myself out and viewing my own life. In parts of height, I feel that helping others is a good thing. I believe that in order to receive kindness, we must be kind back. Although this isn’t what Martin Luther Jr. concludes, but rather that we should have an open heart and not be so selfish. I haven’t completely reached this level. I am mostly always thinking about the things I need to do, what I need to work on for myself, and my daily tasks of the day. I do hope that my actions change as I get older and view more of life, as well as humanity. In regards to breadth, I do see life as a stronger power other than ourselves. I haven’t put in much thought on thinking about a higher power than the paperwork and stress that I am carrying.

In the book What the Best College Students Do by Ken Bain he explains ways to help students learn in a better way.The strategy that I'm going to talk about is how to make connection while reading. In the beginning of the strategy he says "The best students make connections as they read, relate to bigger questions, pause to contemplate and integrate" (234). This strategy is a great way to understand the reading because students can make notes in the margin and write ideas down in the book while your reading. The more students take notes on the book the more they going to understand and make connection with it. Like summarizing the a paragraph and putting into their own words that way they get a better understanding. I have a hard time doing this because whenever I read a book and try to make notes on the side I just lose it and forget what I'm supposed to write or I forget what I just read. Until my English teacher in high school helped me out. I don't think I'm the only one who has trouble with this there are more people that have the same struggle. That's why I agree with Bain with this strategy because it helps students make connections as they read.

In “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life” delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., he expresses three golden rules to live a fulfilled life. In order to have a complete life, individuals must equally hold the length, breadth, and height of life. The length of life King describes as, “the push of a life forward to achieve its inner powers and ambitions” (397). In order to hold this idea of fulfillment individuals in society must strive to find the power within and what they want to achieve.

“The breadth of life is the outreach” King explains, “the outward concern for the welfare of others” (397). Individuals having that initial desire of helping those around them is a key concept that contributes to holding a completed life.

Lastly, the final side to obtaining fulfilling is the idea of the height of life King describes as, “the upward reach for God” (397). Individuals must have the intent to hold a relationship with God and connect with the “supreme infinite person." When the Christian society combines these three concepts and integrates them into their lives equally, they will live a complete and three dimensional life.

Growing up in my church, I have always been taught to help others in any time of need because that was the Christ-like thing to do. With having Christ as a role model, we members of the church sought out to bring peace and love to this broken land. By keeping a strong connection between Christ and I, I have been able to look past myself and my problems, to help those who are in need more than I am. Helping others has been a key factor in my life as I believe that in order to become the best person you can be, you must have the desire to help those in need. Having a church-filled background I have also been taught to look within in order to really connect with the higher God and hold these beliefs for myself.

Finding your inner beliefs, helping others, and connecting with God are what King describes as the three dimensions of life, and you must maintain these concepts if you want to live a complete life. I know that by holding these factors in my life my world has changed for the better. I would not be the same person I am today without these three golden rules affecting my every move. I know that by enforcing King’s methods into your life you can achieve your highest potential.